I have been recently reviewing literature about nitrate adsorption. One group of promising materials are layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Are these kind of materials used anywhere in practice or do they have even potential? I have understood that their effectivity is also very strongly affected by presence of other ions.
Dear Tero,
with practical applications I assume you mean to bind surplus nitrate from field run-off?
For binding and reuse as fertilizer certain types of easily available clays may be used in practice. Specially designed minerals likely will be too costly. I would think the most economic alternative would be a filter of organic material with low nitrogen like bark mulch.
Dear Dr. Sobisch,
Thank you for your answer!
In addition to field run-off waters, I meant also treatment of nitrate containing effluents from e.g. municipal wastewater treatment plants or mining industry.
Hi Tero,
You might like to try activated carbon or kaolin, they will adsorb nitrates, as far as I recall. Activated carbon, although expensive, may be able to be regenerated, but I am not certain about that.
Regards,
Frank
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